Scum’s Wish (Kuzu no Honkai) is a daring, unflinchingly honest exploration of love, lust, and the lies we tell ourselves to cope with unrequited feelings. The story follows Hanabi Yasuraoka and Mugi Awaya, two high school students who are each in love with someone they cannot have—Hanabi with her childhood friend and teacher, and Mugi with his former tutor. They enter into a “contract,” a physical relationship devoid of emotional attachment, using each other as substitutes for the people they truly desire.
The series is defined by its core themes: the power of physical intimacy to both heal and harm, the crushing weight of unrequited love, and the desperate search for connection in a world that often feels hollow. The protagonists are profound underdogs—not in a physical sense, but as emotionally wounded individuals who are trapped by their own desires and the expectations of others. Scum’s Wish masterfully subverts expectations by rejecting the idealized, pure romance of many anime and instead delivering a raw, uncomfortable, and deeply psychological exploration of the darker side of human relationships. It is a series that understands that love is not always beautiful, and that sometimes the most honest thing we can do is admit our own selfishness.
For fans of Scum’s Wish, finding similar anime can be a challenge. The series occupies a unique space—part psychological drama, part dark romance, part meditation on the nature of desire. Yet, many underrated series share its core DNA: a focus on the emotional consequences of toxic relationships, characters who are haunted by their own desires, and a willingness to explore the darker, more uncomfortable aspects of love and intimacy. These shows deserve far more attention for their emotional honesty, their psychological depth, and their refusal to provide easy answers.
Here are 15 underrated anime that capture the spirit of Scum’s Wish.
1. Domestic Girlfriend (Domestic na Kanojo) (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 6.7
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Diomedéa
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Kei Sasuga.
Plot Summary: Natsuo Fujii, a high school student, has a crush on his teacher, Hina. He impulsively sleeps with a girl named Rui, a stranger he meets at a mixer. His life becomes complicated when his father remarries, and his new stepsisters turn out to be both Hina and Rui.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are about characters who are entangled in complicated, often inappropriate romantic relationships that are driven by desire and emotional need. The focus is on the messy, painful consequences of these entanglements and the difficulty of navigating forbidden love. The tone is raw, dramatic, and deeply emotional.
2. School Days (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 5.7
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: TNK
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by 0verflow.
Plot Summary: Makoto Itou, a high school student, becomes involved in a love triangle with two girls—Kotonoha Katsura and Sekai Saionji. His inability to commit and his selfish choices lead to devastating consequences for everyone involved.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are about the destructive power of selfishness and infidelity in romantic relationships. The focus is on the emotional fallout of betrayal and the pain of hurting the people you care about. Both series are unflinching in their portrayal of the darker side of love and desire.
3. White Album 2 (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Satelight
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by Leaf.
Plot Summary: Haruki Kitahara, a high school student, forms a band with two girls—Setsuna Ogiso and Kazusa Touma—to perform at the school festival. Their shared experience creates a deep bond, but the romantic feelings that develop between them lead to a heartbreaking love triangle.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are about the devastating consequences of a love triangle and the emotional pain of unrequited love. The focus is on the guilt, betrayal, and heartbreak that result from difficult choices. The series is a raw, unflinching portrayal of love and the pain of hurting the people you care about.
4. Nana (2006)
- Streaming Availability: HiDive, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.4
- Episodes: 47
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Ai Yazawa.
Plot Summary: Two young women, both named Nana, meet on a train to Tokyo and become roommates. The series follows their intertwined lives, their romantic relationships, and their struggles to pursue their dreams in the face of heartbreak and adversity.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are mature, realistic dramas that explore the complexities of adult relationships, including love, betrayal, and the consequences of difficult choices. The focus is on the emotional lives of the characters and the messy, often painful reality of human connection. Both series are unafraid to portray infidelity and its consequences.
5. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (Rumbling Hearts) (2003)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.4
- Episodes: 14
- Studio: Studio Fantasia
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by âge.
Plot Summary: Takayuki Narumi’s life is shattered when his girlfriend, Haruka Suzumiya, falls into a coma after a tragic accident. Years later, he has built a new life with Haruka’s best friend, Mitsuki, but his world is thrown into chaos when Haruka unexpectedly wakes up.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are emotionally devastating dramas about the weight of guilt, obligation, and the consequences of difficult choices. The focus is on the emotional fallout of tragedy and the struggle to move on. The tone is raw, unflinching, and deeply human, with a similar focus on the darker side of love.
6. True Tears (2008)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 7.5
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Junji Nishimura.
Plot Summary: Shinichiro Nakagami is a high school student who lives with his family and a girl named Hiromi, who was taken in after her parents died. He becomes entangled in a complicated love triangle involving Hiromi and another girl, Noe Isurugi, who is searching for her “true tears.”
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are melancholic, atmospheric dramas that focus on the complex emotions of young love and the pain of unspoken feelings. The protagonist is caught between his feelings and his obligations. The series explores themes of family, identity, and the difficulty of expressing one’s true emotions.
7. A Lull in the Sea (Nagi no Asukara) (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
- Rating: MAL: 8.0
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: P.A. Works
- Notable Staff: Directed by Toshiya Shinohara, written by Mari Okada.
Plot Summary: From a school under the sea, four childhood friends are forced to attend a school on the surface when their own is closed. A catastrophic event occurs, separating the group and forcing them to confront their changing relationships and their long-suppressed feelings for one another.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are ensemble dramas that focus on the complex web of relationships within a group of friends. The focus is on unrequited love, jealousy, and the pain of change. The series is a masterclass in exploring the emotional turmoil of young love and the difficulty of honest communication.
8. O Maidens in Your Savage Season (Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo) (2019)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Lay-duce
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Mari Okada and Nao Emoto.
Plot Summary: A group of high school girls in a literature club become obsessed with the concept of sexuality and the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Each girl navigates her own path of sexual awakening, facing confusion, desire, and societal expectations.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are honest, unflinching explorations of adolescent sexuality and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The focus is on the gap between romantic ideals and the messy reality of physical desire. The series is raw, funny, and deeply empathetic, with a similar willingness to tackle taboo subjects.
9. Hatsukoi (First Love) (2011)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 6.8
- Episodes: 1 (OVA)
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Rai Yuzuki.
Plot Summary: The story follows a young man as he reflects on his first love and the painful experiences of his youth. The narrative explores the complexities of first relationships, including the confusion, heartbreak, and the lingering impact of those early experiences.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are introspective explorations of the pain of first love and the emotional scars it leaves behind. The focus is on the psychological impact of early romantic experiences and the way they shape our understanding of love. The tone is quiet, melancholic, and deeply reflective.
10. Rumbling Hearts: OVA (Kimi ga Nozomu Eien: Next Season) (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 6.9
- Episodes: 4 (OVA)
- Studio: Brain’s Base
- Notable Staff: Based on the visual novel by âge.
Plot Summary: This OVA series serves as an alternate retelling of the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien story, focusing on a different timeline where Haruka wakes up much earlier. It explores a different set of choices and their consequences, providing a new perspective on the central tragedy.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: As a continuation of the Kimi ga Nozomu Eien story, this OVA shares the same themes of guilt, obligation, and the consequences of difficult choices. It is underrated because it is often overlooked by fans of the original series. It provides a fascinating exploration of the “what if” scenario.
11. Koi Kaze (2004)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.2
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: A.C.G.T.
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Motoi Yoshida.
Plot Summary: Koshiro Saeki, a 27-year-old man, finds himself falling in love with Nanoka Kohinata, a 15-year-old girl who turns out to be his younger sister. The series explores the taboo nature of their relationship and the emotional turmoil it causes for both of them.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are about characters who are drawn into relationships that are considered taboo or inappropriate by society. The focus is on the emotional consequences of these forbidden desires and the struggle to reconcile one’s feelings with societal expectations. The tone is raw, uncomfortable, and deeply psychological.
12. Paradise Kiss (2005)
- Streaming Availability: Not currently available on major platforms.
- Rating: MAL: 7.8
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Madhouse
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Ai Yazawa, the creator of Nana.
Plot Summary: Yukari Hayasaka, a high school student, is recruited by a group of fashion design students to be their model. She becomes immersed in the world of fashion and romance, navigating the complexities of love, ambition, and self-discovery.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are mature, stylish dramas from the same creator that explore the complexities of love and identity. The focus is on the emotional lives of the characters and the messy, often painful reality of pursuing one’s dreams. The series is a raw, honest portrayal of young love and the search for self.
13. Blue Spring Ride (Ao Haru Ride) (2014)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.6
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Production I.G.
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Io Sakisaka.
Plot Summary: Futaba Yoshioka, a high school girl, is reunited with her first love, Kou Mabuchi, who has changed drastically since they last met. The series explores their rekindled relationship and the emotional baggage they both carry from their past.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are about characters who are haunted by their past relationships and the difficulty of moving on. The focus is on the emotional vulnerability of the characters and the courage required to open one’s heart again. The tone is melancholic, introspective, and deeply romantic.
14. The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana) (2013)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.2
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Zexcs
- Notable Staff: Based on the manga by Shuzo Oshimi.
Plot Summary: Takao Kasuga, a bookish middle school student, is blackmailed by his classmate Sawa Nakamura after she witnesses him stealing the gym clothes of his crush. He is drawn into a dark, psychological game that forces him to confront his own repressed desires.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are dark, psychological explorations of adolescent sexuality and the tension between desire and social conformity. The focus is on the alienation and frustration of young people who feel trapped by their circumstances. The tone is unsettling, atmospheric, and deeply introspective.
15. 5 Centimeters per Second (2007)
- Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
- Rating: MAL: 7.7
- Episodes: 1 (Film)
- Studio: CoMix Wave Films
- Notable Staff: Directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Plot Summary: The film follows Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara, two close friends who are separated by distance. It explores their relationship over the years, focusing on the ache of separation, the passage of time, and the fading of first love.
Similarities to Scum’s Wish: Both are profoundly melancholic stories about the pain of unrequited love and the passage of time. The focus is on the beauty and pain of memories, and the acceptance that some connections are destined to fade. The atmospheric, visually stunning presentation and the quiet, emotional tone are a direct match.
Why These Anime Work for Scum’s Wish Fans
Fans of Scum’s Wish are drawn to stories that are emotionally honest, psychologically complex, and unafraid to explore the darker aspects of love and desire. They appreciate a narrative that refuses to romanticize toxic relationships, instead presenting them with raw, unflinching honesty. They are invested in characters who are flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human, and they are not afraid of a story that is willing to be uncomfortable.
The anime listed above all share this fundamental DNA:
- The Power of Desire and Its Consequences: Whether it is the physical intimacy in Scum’s Wish, the forbidden love in Domestic Girlfriend, or the destructive choices in School Days, these series understand that desire is a powerful force that can both connect and destroy. The characters are driven by their emotions, often to their own detriment.
- The Emotional Underdog: The protagonists are not heroes. They are ordinary people who are struggling to navigate the complexities of love, lust, and identity. Their strength lies not in their power, but in their vulnerability, their capacity for self-reflection, and their willingness to confront their own flaws.
- Subversion of the Romance Genre: These series reject the idealized, fairy-tale version of romance in favor of a raw, honest, and deeply human portrayal of the complexities of the heart. They understand that love is not always beautiful, and that sometimes the most honest thing we can do is admit our own selfishness.
These 15 anime, like Scum’s Wish, are not afraid to look into the shadows of the human heart. They are underrated gems that offer a mature, thought-provoking, and deeply moving experience for viewers who are willing to confront the darker side of love and emerge with a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
